7/17/2022 0 Comments Spinal Cord Injury There are several types of spinal cord injury (SCI). In complete SCI, the entire motor and sensory function of the affected side is lost. This type accounts for 50 percent of all SCIs. The spinal cord is rarely cut, and most cases involve compromise of blood flow to the injured area. Incomplete SCI, the patient retains some function below the primary level of injury, and may experience pain or difficulty with daily activities. This type of SCI also results in long-term physical and occupational therapy and rehabilitation. The sacral section of the spinal cord is composed of two bones fused together at the coccyx, which contains a pair of coccygeal nerves. Spinal cord injuries occur when the sacral section bone is squeezed or ripped, or when a single nerve is crushed or cut. In addition, the damage to the spinal cord can occur due to infection or disease. If the injury is severe enough, the patient may require surgery. Fortunately, stem cells and tissue engineering technologies are now available to help people with spinal cord injuries regain function. By targeting damaged nerve cell connections and stimulating regeneration of their projections, stem cells and biomaterials can help people with SCI regain movement and feeling. The use of cell transplants and stem cells has helped scientists make some promising early findings in the field of regenerative rehabilitation. Further, researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of cell transplantation in animal models. Immediate treatment for a spinal cord injury often involves placing the person on a backboard and putting a specialized neck collar on them. This collar prevents further damage to the spinal cord. Trauma centers may perform surgery to realign the spine and remove objects that are pressing on the spinal column. If the injury is severe, the injured person may be in a coma for several days or longer. Fortunately, these treatments do have a very high rate of success, and many patients are able to return home the same day. Symptoms of spinal cord injury may include decreased sensation and weakness in the arms and legs, inability to control bladder and bowel functions, severe pain, and decreased or absent sensory function. The diagnosis of spinal cord injury is based on motor and sensory functions. An MRI is a common test used to diagnose spinal cord injuries. Other diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, can reveal broken bones or dislocations in the spine. If a spinal cord injury has been caused by a fall or traumatic brain injury, the victim will experience permanent loss of movement, sensory function, and bowel or bladder function. This condition can have significant social consequences and affect quality of life for the injured individual. Although rare, spinal cord injuries can cause lifelong disabilities. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association estimates that approximately 450,000 people in the U.S. suffer from a spinal cord injury each year. In addition to fractures and dislocations, a spinal cord injury can cause breathing problems. Breathing problems are often caused by the level of neurological injury in the spinal cord. People with thoracic or cervical spinal cord injury are at increased risk of lung and respiratory problems. If possible, a surgeon can correct these problems and improve a patient's quality of life. Rehabilitation is necessary to regain bowel and bladder control and regain strength in areas where the nerves are located. Here is an alternative post that provides more information related to this topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord_injury.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |